The climate is changing and our coasts are facing unprecedented threats – from sea level rise and increasing storm intensity to on-going erosion and sediment loss. The new Administration and 117th Congress must take major actions to restore and preserve America’s shores and beaches. As we wade into these new waters, ASBPA recommends the following…
In a year when everybody’s plans changed, ASBPA government affairs work both responded to the times – with a new focus on COVID response to help coastal communities – and stayed the same – with a continued focus on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and appropriations. We did not expect significant coastal policy investment…
Late on Monday, December 21st, Congress passed a major package of legislation, including most prominently the FY21 federal budget and a $900 billion COVID economic stimulus. Importantly for coastal communities, this bill also included the 2020 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). We expect the president to sign the bill soon. Here is a summary of…
With a major Omnibus-COVID Stimulus bill passed, Congress has averted a government shutdown and passed an FY21 federal budget. Here are the funding levels in the House and Senate appropriations and the final approved amount for some key coastal programs: (All numbers in thousands of dollars.) Energy and Water Appropriations (Includes US Army Corps of…
The federal FY21 budget is operating under a Continuing Resolution (CR) through December 11. Before then, Congress must agree to a budget or the government will shut down (which certainly feels on-brand for 2020, but at this point both House and Senate would like to avoid). Adding to the challenge is the lingering question whether…
The Senate is still considering whether and how to provide stimulus funding to state and local governments struggling with budget shortfalls due to the coronavirus pandemic. Budget shortfalls are particularly challenging for coastal and other tourism-based communities. The House of Representatives has already passed the HEROES Act to address this and other challenges of coronavirus….
As Congress grapples with how to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic and the economic challenges it has created, they have largely ignored the unique difficulties facing coastal communities who rely on beach- and coastal-based tourism. See our previous article on how coastal communities are hurting. See our Covid Advocacy Toolkit for how you and your…
The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA, or S.3422), which recently passed the Senate, directs a significant portion of federal revenue from offshore oil and gas development to the Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which fund parks and public lands, and deferred maintenance in National Parks. While fully funding LWCF and addressing maintenance backlog at…
As beaches re-open after stay-at-home orders are lifted, beach departments across the country are facing a triple whammy of challenges: Massive budget shortfalls and staffing cuts, Increased costs for cleaning and security, and huge crowds of people eager to get outdoors and recreate. Thus far, communities have faced these challenges with very little support from…
April 27, 2020 American Shore & Beach Preservation Association issues the following statement on beach operations during the coronavirus pandemic: “ASBPA recognizes the tremendous challenges facing beach communities right now. Coastal States, counties and cities must keep their residents safe, but also face a cratering economy that threatens the livelihood and well-being of their residents….